Page 26 of The Beta’s Heart (Five Fangs #5)

Tyler

Once again, I’m running through the woods, the moon above casting a cold, silvery light that barely cuts through the oppressive darkness. The trees loom overhead, their gnarled branches clawing at the air as I sprint past them. My breath comes in ragged, panicked gasps, each exhale a plume of mist. Dead leaves crunch underfoot like an approaching army, relentless and unforgiving.

No matter how fast I run, though, I can’t escape the feeling that I’m being dragged back to that moment, where time stretches and distorts into an endless loop of terror. The pain I’m in mingles with the fear of the unknown, a brutal cocktail that makes me stumble and fall.

Suddenly, the scene shifts, warping into a new horror that I never experienced before. I’m no longer running from my father, but from an undefined terror, a shadow that stinks like oil burning in a pan. Its presence is suffocating, a dark cloud squeezing the breath from my lungs. I flail blindly through the forest, my limbs heavy and uncoordinated as my heart hammers in my chest.

The terror closes in, its jagged edges scraping against my skin, sending shivers of ice through my veins. I can feel its hunger, its need to devour me. In a final, frantic burst of energy, I lash out blindly, my arm striking something soft. The world tilts violently as I struggle, then the sudden, sharp jolt of ice-cold water snaps my eyes open—

I gasped and sat up, disoriented and trembling. Peri stood next me, her eyes wide with worry and her hands on my shoulders.

Reality slowly filtered back in, and I realized I was in our bed, not the forest. The terror was gone, but its echoes lingered in my mind. My face was all wet, and a familiar glass lay in my lap.

“Peri?”

“It’s okay.” Her voice was shaking as much as my whole body. “You’re safe now. It was just a nightmare.”

“I’m sorry,” I whispered, my voice rough and broken. “I didn’t mean to scare you.”

“It’s okay,” she said, hugging me tightly. “I’m here. You’re safe.”

I clung to her, trying to ground myself in the present. That had been too freaking real. I could still feel the phantom pain of the knife, the terror of being chased, but my mate’s presence and scent was helping to drive it away.

“Do you want to talk about it?” She pulled back slightly, looking into my eyes.

“Not now.” I shook my head, the memories too raw to touch at the moment. “Maybe later.”

“Whenever you’re ready,” she replied. “I’ll listen anytime.”

As we lay back down, I held onto her, letting her warmth comfort me, until I remembered how my nightmare had taken an unexpected shift into a new world of terror.

“Did you have a bad dream, too, Sunshine?” I asked gently, trailing my fingers up and down her spine.

“No. Why?”

“Because mine somehow morphed into someone else’s—” All the air whooshed out of my lungs. “Luna!”

#

Peri

The thud of my body hitting the floor jolted me awake, a sharp pain exploding in my hip from crashing into the bedside table.

“What the hell?!” I winced, the floor cold and unforgiving beneath me.

Then Tyler’s cries tore through the dim room, raw and haunting. His arms whirled around wildly and his legs kicked as if he were running. I could barely make sense of what was happening, only aware that something was terribly wrong.

“Ty!” I called out, my voice thick with panic. “Tyler?”

I scrambled to my feet, my heart pounding furiously as his harsh breaths and desperate shouts sliced through the night, and I finally realized he was lost in a nightmare.

“Wake up!” I begged, my voice breaking as I grabbed his shoulders and shook him a little. “It’s me! It’s Peri! Your sunshine! Wake up!”

He didn’t respond, his eyes still closed, his body still writhing, and I never felt so helpless in my life. Tears leaked from the corners of his eyes, breaking my heart.

I have to do something to wake him up!

With a surge of frustration and determination, I grabbed the glass of water from the nightstand and threw it in his face. It was the only thing I could think of—and it worked.

His eyes snapped open, full of fear and confusion, but he came back to himself.

My poor mate. My poor Ty.

“Peri?” he whispered, his voice hoarse and trembling.

“It’s okay,” I said, my own voice shaking. I climbed back onto the bed, pulling him into my arms. “You’re safe now. It was just a nightmare.”

“I’m sorry,” he whispered. “I didn’t mean to scare you.”

Hugging him tightly, I wanted to smother him in my warmth and scent to remind him of where he was and who he belonged to.

“It’s okay,” I murmured. “I’m here. You’re safe.”

He clung to me, his body trembling and his heart pounding as I stroked his hair and kissed his forehead. We stayed like that until he finally relaxed, then I asked him if he wanted to talk about it, but he shook his head, and I respected that.

As we lay there in the darkness, I couldn’t help but feel a fierce protectiveness well up inside me. Ty was my mate, my other half, and I would do whatever it took to help him heal from the scars of his past. For now, all I could do was tighten my arms around him and promise to listen and make sure he knew he wasn’t alone.

“Did you have a nightmare, too, Sunshine?” he asked gently, trailing his fingers up and down my spine.

“No. Why?”

“Because mine somehow morphed into someone else’s—” he gasped, then shouted, “Luna!”

#

Tyler

Luna Posy was the only other one with whom my bond was strong enough to affect me even in my sleep, and I opened up the beta link to see if any of the others were experiencing the same thing.

They all were.

Oh, thank the Goddess it wasn’t just me , I sighed with relief. Can I loop Peri in this conversation?

Sure. Our mates are here, too , Crew said. Easier than relaying everything to them later.

After realizing we’d all gotten caught in a flashback luna’s wolf, Lark, had been broadcasting, we tried to link the alphas, but they weren’t answering. Not even their wolves were answering our wolves, and we were ready to storm the royal palace.

Next, we tried Dad and Royal Price, and the two of them responded right away. After Dad assured us luna and her wolf were alive and safeguarded by at least three of the alphas, we calmed down a little, but I was still leaning toward getting in my car and heading to Ohio.

Exasperated with our mutiny, Dad looped us into the conversation they were having with the alphas.

Long story short, Lark got scared when she smelled the bastard who supplied Kendall Briggs with wolfsbane, Wyatt said without any dillydallying, maybe sensing how on edge we all were. The king has him in his cells for us to interrogate tomorrow while Posy has tea with the queen.

Not even a heartbeat passed before I said, I respectfully request to help with the interrogation. I can drive through the night and be there by dawn.

Pick me up before you leave, Emerson growled.

Me, too, Crew, Tristan, and Matthew said together.

I think the king has it under control, Cole rumbled and actually rolled his eyes at us. He’s taken a personal interest in the matter, especially after discovering that Briggs’ brother, Calvin, has been a royal staffer for two decades.

And it’s looking like Calvin Briggs is probably the one who hooked Briggs up with the wolfsbane supplier, Jay added.

What?! we bellowed, except for Crew, who kept his usual cool.

As Mase explained everything they knew so far, we were frustrated that there wasn’t much we could do from here to help her, but we paid attention when Mr. Price asked who Lark had scented as the wolfsbane supplier to Alpha Kendall Briggs.

Ezra Ikhlassi, Mase answered, but the name meant nothing to me or anyone else who was currently looped into the conversation.

I was going to ask Gelo if he knows him, Ash mumbled, then buzzed out on a low snore, making Peri giggle.

“He never could stay awake for long after his bedtime,” she whispered in my ear, and I smiled at her.

Wait, wait, wait! Emerson yelped. Who’s going to be with luna bunny tomorrow while you’re beating the hell out of Briggs’ brother and this Ezra guy?

Dude, she’ll be with the queen, who’s guarded by two royal betas at all times. She’ll be well protected for tea drinking. Wyatt wore an egg-sucking grin on his face, and I wanted to push it in for missing the obvious.

Throwing no shade on betas Luke or Gisela, but they are there to protect the queen, I pointed out. If it came down to it, they’d save her first, not our luna. We’re coming.

Ty, Dad and I need you here while the boys are away, Mr. Price butted in. The pack—

Luna takes priority to all, Matthew and Crew said in sync.

I’ll stay with them for tea . No one will get past me, let alone Quartz, Jay volunteered, which made me feel better.

I still didn’t like it, but after a little more arguing, we all begrudgingly agreed to stay at Five Fangs and help Dad and Mr. Price until the alphas returned.

At least let us talk to our luna , Tristan said. We need to hear from her that she’s okay.

Posy’s sleeping. Cole told us with a smile. And Lark’s currently in the human version of a puppy pile. Our wolves wanted to snuggle her.

Wyatt sent us the image of luna snuggled in bed with him, Mase, and Cole, and we all relaxed to see the happy smile on her face. Then, maybe sensing the intensity of the gazes upon her, she opened her eyes, which flashed silver in the dim light.

What is it? Lark murmured with a sleep pout. Why my beta wolves upset?

They’re worried about you, precious, Mase told her. Can you tell them you’re okay so they can calm down?

I scared, she admitted, but I okay now. I safe. Nyx and king said so.

Luna happy now? River purred with a wagging tail. Luna getting cuddles?

Yep! Lark grinned happily. My mates so warm and snuggly!

Happy luna, Arroyo cooed, and Matthew rolled his eyes at him. Happy luna, happy pack.

We can be by your side in hours, luna. Bay all but shoved Crew aside to talk to her. Link us anytime for anything.

Even if you just want to chat or ask a question, added Creek as Tristan nodded in agreement.

Thank you, betas.

Sleep well, luna wolf, Cove crooned, and Em echoed him.

You, too.

After we said our goodbyes to Lark, we pulled out of the alpha link and chatted amongst ourselves for a few minutes before we, too, signed off.

“Whew!” Peri snapped off the bedside lamp, then fell back on her pillow. “Who knew being a beta’s mate would be so intense?”

“You would have been worried about your sister-in-law even if you weren’t my mate,” I chuckled and wrapped myself around her. “Besides, I’m worth it, aren’t I?”

I may have sounded like I was joking, but I knew what she’d seen earlier, her broken mate screaming in terror like a weak child—

“Stop it, Tyler.” Two soft hands landed on either side of my face, and two soft lips pressed against mine. “You are more than worth it. You are my mate, my love, and my life. There is no one more worthy than you. I love you more than your doubts, more than your fears, more than your nightmares.”

“Thank you, Sunshine,” I whispered. “I love you so much.”

“You don’t need to say thank you for the truth, baby, but you’re welcome.”

This girl.

She had walked into my heart like she’d always belonged there, and now I could hardly breathe without her. She was the cure to all my wounds and the balm to all my scars.

Blinking against the sudden sting of tears, I gulped down the knot of emotion in my throat and buried my face in her hair, her butterscotch smell and the mate sparks cocooning me in safety and warmth and love as I drifted back to sleep.